Heel plate for a ski binding



Feb. 26, 1963 H. VON. BOSIO 3,079,165 HEEL PLATE FOR A SKI BINDING FiledDec. 7, 1960 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR. HARALD VON BOSIO l5 AT TO NEYSFeb. 26,1963 H. VON 305w 3,079,165

HEEL PLATE FOR A 'SKI BINDING Filed Dec. 7, 1960 2 Sheets$heet 2INVENTOR. HARALD VON BOSIO AT TORNEYS United States Patent 3,679,165HEEL PLATE FER A SKI EEPJDING Harald von llosio, Saints-org, Austria,assignor to Hannes Marker, Garmiseh-Partenldrehen, Germany Filed Dec. 7,1969, Ser. No. 74,339 Claims priority, application Austria Dec. 11, 195%ll tjlaims. (Cl. 28ti-1L35) In the known ski bindings comprising a cablebinding running over the heel, a support or eel plate made of rubber orthe like is generally arranged on the ski and this plate can be smoothedor serrated. When using these known support or heel plates, it is notpossible to avoid a lateral movement of the heel on descent. In order toachieve a better lateral guiding of the heel, heel plates re known whichcomprise lateral cheeks. However, this desi n is complicated as regardsmanufacture and assembly, because the side cheeks must be arranged to beadjustable to the width of the heel actually fitted.

It is an object of the invention to provide a heel plate for skiswithout having to use these side cheeks, which revents any lateraldisplacement of the heel on the ski on descent. For this purpose,according to the invention, a heel plate consisting of rigid material,such as for example metal or plastic, is provided with pointedprotuberances which comprise a very small supporting surface for theboot heel in relation to the plate surface. in vi w of these smallbearing surfaces, a very large specific surface pressure is set up bythe weight of the skier and also the cable binding acting obliquely onthe heel, so that the rubber surface of the h el is forced into thepointed protuberances. By this means, the heel is fixed, that is to say,any lateral movement thereof relative to the ski is prevented.

If the heel plate accouding to the invention is used in combination witha safety binding which permits the ski boot to be swung outwardly withan excessive torsional stress, the heel plate provided with the sharp orpointed protuberances is mounted to rotate about an axis'perendicular tothe ski. Due to this rotatable arrangement of the new heel plate, thefree outward swinging of the ski boot is assisted in the event of adangerous fall.

Other details of the heel plate according to the invention will be morefully explained hereinafter by reference to the constructional exampleshown in the drawing, wherein:

IG. 1 is a side elevation of a safety binding with a front cheek plate,a cable binding and a heel plate coording to the invention,

PEG. 2 is the corresponding plan view,

FIG. 3 shows the heel plate according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in plan view andto natural scale.

FIG. 4 is the associated front elevation,

FIGS 5 and 6 are side elevations of different forms of this heel plate.I

FIGS. 7 and 8 are a front elevation and plan view, respectively, ofanother construction of a heel plate,

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a front elevation and plan view, respectively, of yetanother construction of a heel plate,

FIGS. 11 and 12 are a front elevation and plan view, respectively, ofyet another form of heel plate,

FIGS. 13 and 14 are similar views of yet another constructional form.

FIGS.3 and 4 show a preferred constructional form of a heel plate Imounted on the ski S to pivot about a vertical axis. It is possible forthe said plate 1 to be used with a safety binding shown in FIGS. 1 and2. With such a binding the sole 2 of the ski boot is pressed against afront safety check plate 8 of any desired known construction by means ofa cable binding. The cable binding 7 can be tightened by a tensioningdevice 3, and it runs over the heel groove 4 and is guided byholding-down devices 5, 6. The said safety cheek plate permits the skiboot to swing in the direction of the arrow A in the event of anexcessive turning moment. As will be seen from the drawing, the heelplate 1 is arranged beneath the ankle section. In order to prevent anylateral displacement of the heel in the direction B or C, the plateconsisting of rigid material is formed with sharp protuberances. In thepreferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, these protuberances formwedge-shaped ribs 9, which are arranged approximately longitudinally ofthe ski and the peaks of which are spaced apart a distance a. Instead ofhaving these ribs, the protuberances can consist of pyrimidal or conicalprotuberances it) or 31, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and FIGS. 11 and 12.According to FIG. 4, and also FIGS. 11 and 13, the height h of theseprotuberances is greater than their base b. it is apparent from FIGS. 3,4 and 11 to 14 that the distance a is several times that of the base b.F or example, with the construction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base bcan be about 3 mm, the height 11 about 4 to 5 mm. and the spacing a ofthe rib-like protuberances 9 about 1 cm. Due to these comparativelyhigh, pointed protuberances arranged at relatively large intervals, aheel plate with exceptionally good gripping power is provided, whichprevents any lateral displacement of the heel and which simultaneouslyhas the advantage that relatively large gaps exist between the ribs 9 orpoints 11, in which snow or ice cannot become so lodged that thefunction of the heel plate is impaired.

As will furthermore be apparent from the drawing, the ribs 9 are not sopointed that they are knife-sharp, but rather comprise a blunt edge 12in order to prevent any damage to the'sole plate normally consisting ofrubber. The points 11 are also blunted in the same manner, as indicatedin FlG. 11 at 13. Nevertheless, as will be seen from the drawing, theprotuberances on the heel plate are so pointed that only very smallsupport surfaces 12 or 13 are formed in relation to the whole surface ofthe heel plate, so that these protuberances penetrate somewhat into therubber sole of the boot and thus prevent any lateral movement.

In order to make possible a free swinging of the ski boot in thedirection A on releasing the safety binding 8,- the heel plates shown inF168. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10and ll, 12 are mounted on the ski so as to pivotabout a vertical axis. For this purpose, a hole 14 for a fixing screw isprovided in the heel plates shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, it being possiblefor the said heel plates 15 or 16 to rotate about the said screw.Referring to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 11 and 12,the heel plates 1 and 17, respectively, are connected by a rivet 18 orthe like to a base plate 19 which is to be fixed on the ski and which isarranged to be completely recessed, as illustrated, or partiallyrecessed in a suitable depression 20 of the heel plate; In theconstruction illustrated (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the ends of the heel plate1 are thus directly supported on the ski S.

As illustrated, the base plate 19 is formed as a cylindrical disc, thediameter of which is considerably smaller than the width E of the baseplate. This fixing disc 19 also has a diameter larger than the length Lof the heel plate, the projecting parts being formed with twodiametn'cally opposed countersunk holes 21 for two countersunk screws22. For fixing the heel plate 1, the plate is first of all rotated to aposition extending longitudinally of the ski, as illustrated in FIG. 3and indicated by chain-dotted lines 1', then the disc 19 is fixed on'theski by means of the screws 22 and finally the heel plate 1 is swung intoits normal position, so that thereby the two fixing screws 22 areconcealed.

It is further apparent from the drawing, that it is sulficient to selecta comparatively narrow heel plate, the length L of the heel plate beingconsiderably smaller than the width E thereof, which correspondssubstantially to the boot heel. This plate length L is only a fractionof the plate width E in the construction illustrated. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 3 to 14, the length L is about /3 of the width E.

Where the protuberances are formed as ribs, as shown for example inFIGS. 3 and 4, it is advantageous to round off the corners of the ribs,as indicated at 23 in FIG. 5. If necessary, the upper edge 12 of theseribs can also be arcuately curved for the purpose of better adaptationto the sole of the boot, as indicated in FIG. 6.

Rib-like protuberances 24 are also provided in the constructional formaccording to FIGS. 7 and 8. The construction of the heel plate 16 shownin FIGS. 9 and 10 corresponds to the plate according to FIGS. 11 and 12,but the pyramidal or conical protuberances 10 are arranged at a smallerdistance apart.

The heel plate according to the invention can if necessary also bearranged fast, i.e. not rotatably, on the ski. FIGS. 13 and 14 showembodiments which are especially suitable for this purpose. As regardsthe heel plate 25 according to FIGS. 1-3 and 14, this is fixed by meansof screws 26 on the ski and comprises rib-like protuberance-s 27 whichare arcuately curved about the center M of this plate as the center. Onreleasing the safety binding, therefore, the heel can be rotated onthese arcuate edges 27.

I claim:

1. For use with a ski having a safety ski binding mounted thereon, saidski binding having a front positioned means for engaging the toe of aski boot and for releasing such engagement in response to excessiveturning moment on the boot and means for urging the heel of the ski bootboth downwardly and toward said front positioned means; a heel plate ofrigid material mounted on the upper surface of the ski spaced from saidfront positioned means for engaging the heel of the ski boot, said heelplate having upstanding pointed protuberances for engaging the heel ofthe ski boot, the combined areas of the peaks of said protuberancesbeing very small in comparison to the total surface area of said plateso that under the weight of the skier the protuberances penetrate intothe heel of the ski boot to prevent lateral displacement thereof withrespect to the ski; and pivot means extending vertically with respect tothe upper surface of the ski and arranged on the lengthwise center linethereof and supporting said heel plate for swiveling movement with respect to said ski whereby the boot may be swivelled about an axis whichextends upwardly through the heel of the boot in response to .anexcessive turning moment on the boot.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the peaks of the protuberancesproject farther above said heel plate than any other portions thereof sothat the ski boot is held against lateraldisplacement solely by saidprotuberances.

3. The structure of claim 1 including a base plate and means rigidlysecuring said base plate to the upper surface of the ski, said heelplate being disposed above said base plate and having a recess in itsunderside, said base plate being disposed in said recess so that saidheel plate can swivel with respect thereto, said pivot means beingsecured to said base plate and extending upwardly therefrom for pivotalsupport of said heel plate.

4. The structure of claim 3, in which said base plate is at leastpartially circular in plan and has a diameter which is smaller than thewidth of the heel plate but which is larger than the length of the heelplate, said base plate having a pair of countersunk screw openings onopposite diametric sides of said pivot means, and a screw within each ofsaid openings and screwable into said ski whereby said base plate isrigidly secured thereto; the width of said heel plate beingapproximately equal to the width of a ski boot heel and beingconsiderably larger than the length of theheel plate.

5. For use with a ski having a safety ski binding mounted thereon, saidski binding having a front posi tioned means for engaging the toe of aski boot and for releasing such engagement in response to excessiveturning moment on the foot; a heel plate of rigid material mounted onthe upper surface of the ski spaced from the front positioned means forengaging the heel of the ski boot, said heel plate having upstandingpointed protuberance-s for engaging the heel of the ski boot, thecombined area-sot the peaks of said protuberances being very small incomparison to the total surface area of the plate so that under theweight of the skier the protuberances penetrate into the heel of the skiboot to prevent lateral displace ment thereof with respect to the ski;and means for supporting the heel of the ski boot so that it may beswiveled about an axis extending upwardly through said heel in responseto an excessive turning moment on the boot.

6. For use with a ski having a safety ski binding mounted thereon, saidski binding having a front positioned means for engaging the toe of aski boot and for releasing such engagement in response to excessiveturning moment on the boot; a heel plate of rigid material rigidlymounted on the upper surface of the ski spaced from the front positionedmeans for engaging the heel of the ski boot, said heel plate havingwedge-shaped, upstanding ribs for engaging the heel of the ski boot toprevent lateral displacement thereof with respect to the ski; the ribsbeing curved about the center of the heel plate so that the heel of the.ski boot can pivot about said center, the width of said heel plate beingapproximately the same as the width of a ski boot heel and the length ofsaid heel plate being considerably smaller than the width thereof.

7. Heel sup-port structure, comprising:

an elongated, narrow, heel plate of rigid material, said heel platehaving a plurality of parallel, wedge-shaped ribs extending upwardlyfrom its upper surface, said ribs extending transverse to thelongitudinal axis of said heel plate and being located on both sides ofthe center of said heel plate, said heel plate having a partiallycircular recess in its lower surface, the center of said recess beingcoincident with the center of said plate; a base plate disposed withinsaid recess for swiveling movement therein, the lower surface of saidbase plate being substantially flush with the lower surface of said heelplate; and pivot means pivot-ally connecting said heel plate and saidbase plate.

8. For use with a ski having a safety ski binding mounted thereon, saidski binding having a front positioned means for engaging the toe of aski boot and for releasing such engagement in response to excemiveturning moment on the boot and means for urging the heel of the ski bootboth downwardly and toward said front positioned means; a heel plate ofrigid material mounted on the upper surface of the ski spaced from saidfront positioned means for engaging the heel of the ski boot, said heelplate having upstanding, elongated, wedge-shaped ribs which extendsubstantially longitudinally of the ski for engaging the heel of the skiboot and permitting same to be urged toward said front positioned meansby said urging means whereby the ski boot is maintained in snugengagement with said front positioned means, the combined areas of thepeaks of said ribs being very small in comparison with the total surfacearea of the heel plate so that under the weight of the skier the ribspenetrate into the heel of the ski boot to prevent lateral displacementthereof with respect to the ski; and pivot means extending verticallywith respect to the upper surface of the ski and arranged on thelengthwise centerline thereof and supporting said heel plate forswiveling movement with respect to the ski whereby the boot may beswiveled about an axis which extends upwardly through the heel of theboot in response to an excessive turning moment on the boot.

9. The structure of claim 8, in which the front and rear longitudinalcorners of the ribs are rounded.

10. The structure of claim 8, in which the ribs are curved in the shapeof an arch in the lengthwise direction 2,686,059 thereof. 2,705,150 11.The structure of claim 8, in which the height of the 2,836,428

ribs is greater than their width at the base thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 2 2 49 UNITED STATESPATENTS O 2,260,057 Rydberg Oct. 21, 1941 Whitaker Aug. 10, 1954 HansenMar. 29, 1955 Marker May 27, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Feb. 10, 1959

5. FOR USE WITH A SKI HAVING A SAFETY SKI BINDING MOUNTED THEREON, SAID SKI BINDING HAVING A FRONT POSITIONED MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE TOE OF A SKI BOOT AND FOR RELEASING SUCH ENGAGEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EXCESSIVE TURNING MOMENT ON THE FOOT; A HEEL PLATE OF RIGID MATERIAL MOUNTED ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE SKI SPACED FROM THE FRONT POSITIONED MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE HEEL OF THE SKI BOOT, SAID HEEL PLATE HAVING UPSTANDING POINTED PROTUBERANCES FOR ENGAGING THE HEEL OF THE SKI BOOT, THE COMBINED AREAS OF THE PEAKS OF SAID PROTUBERANCES BEING VERY SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THE TOTAL SURFACE AREA OF THE PLATE SO THAT UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE SKIER THE PROTUBERANCES PENETRATE INTO THE HEEL OF THE SKI BOOT TO PREVENT LATERAL DISPLACEMENT THEREOF WITH RESPECT TO THE SKI; AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE HEEL OF THE SKI BOOT SO THAT IT MAY BE SWIVELED ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID HEEL IN RESPONSE TO AN EXCESSIVE TURNING MOMENT ON THE BOOT. 